Considerations for Vaccine Shipping and Storage

Moderna mRNA-1273

Shipping

The vaccine is compatible with standard vaccine distribution channels. It would be shipped frozen, but it would not need any new infrastructure once it arrives at its destination.

Storage

The mRNA - 1272 vaccine can be stored at 35-46 °F (2°C to 8°C). It will need to be stored until administration to prevent moisture and light from seeping into the glass vials. It is highly recommended that refrigerators have automated temperature recording and 24-hour alert as a prevention and risk management strategy for refrigeration malfunction.

Pfizer BNT162b2

Shipping

Pfizer has developed specific temperature controlled thermal shippers filled with dry ice to maintain a required temperature of -94-112° F (-70 to -80°C). The company is in collaboration with transportation partners to ship by air to major distribution centers or transport by ground to dosing locations. The shipment will be outfitted with GPS-enabled thermal sensors to track the location and temperature of the vaccines. If the sensors track any temperature deviation, it will allow Pfizer to swiftly intervene to prevent any unwanted activation of the vaccines.

Storage

The thermal shippers in which the vaccines arrive could store the vaccine for up to 15 days with the consistent refill of dry ice. The vaccine could be stored in ultra-low temperature freezers that are commercially available. In these freezers, the shelf life of the vaccine is 6 months. In hospital settings, the vaccine could be stored for 5 days at 35-46 °F (2-8°C) conditions. It is important to note that once the vaccine thaws, it cannot be refrozen or stored under frozen conditions.

Novavax NVX-CoV2373

Shipping

Upon completion of FDA approval, Novavax aims to scale up rapidly to produce up to 1 billion doses by the end of the year and continue production throughout 2021. Large quantities may only be ordered by large administration sites with a maximum order of ~5,000 doses. The shipment will need a thermal container filled with dry ice. If additional supplies are needed, a diluent and ancillary supply kit will be provided for administering. Lastly, the thermal containers needed to be shipped back to the administration site in order to reduce supply shortages.

Storage

NVX-CoV2373 was reported stable and could handle liquid formulation stored at 35-46 °F (2°C to 8°C) , which is standard refrigerator temperature. In addition, containers should not be opened more than 2 times a day. Facilities will be required to monitor the vaccine’s temperature and re-ice, if needed, to maintain a stable temperature. The vaccine must be thawed for 30 minutes, but not diluted. The vaccine may be stored at 35-46 °F (2°C to 8°C) for up to 5 days. However, the vaccine must be discarded after 5 days even if it is unused. The facility would need to prepare a system in which it accounts for vaccine administration of the 2 dose series with 21 days between doses.

Johnson & Johnson Ad.26.COV2.S

Shipping

The vaccine is compatible with standard vaccine distribution channels. It would be shipped frozen, but it would not need any new infrastructure once it arrives at its destination.

Storage

This vaccine is stable for two years at -4°F (-20°C). A standard freezer is -0.4°F (-18°C) and a standard fridge is 39.2°F (4°C). If the vaccine is stored between 35-46 °F (2°C to 8°C), it may be used for up to three months. It is compatible with standard vaccine distribution channels and doesn’t need new infrastructure for distribution, which is beneficial in terms of storage. For this reason, it would be possible to store vaccines in a standard refrigerator to ensure steady flow of distribution.

Prepared in collaboration with graduate students at Keck Graduate Institute (Claremont, CA): Kaljit Atwal, Paola Montes, Joseph Nguyen, Alice Wen